Birth: Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha, to Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi.
Education: He was a brilliant student and completed his schooling at Ravenshaw Collegiate School. He later attended Presidency College and then Scottish Church College in Calcutta.
Civil Services: Bose passed the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination in England in 1920 but resigned from his position to join the Indian freedom struggle.
Entry into Freedom Struggle
Joining Congress: Bose became active in the Indian National Congress and was greatly influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.
Imprisonments: He was imprisoned several times by the British for his nationalist activities, particularly during the Non-Cooperation Movement in the 1920s.
Leadership and Ideology
Mayor of Calcutta: In 1930, Bose was elected as the Mayor of Calcutta.
President of Congress: He was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress twice, in 1938 and 1939.
Differences with Gandhi: Bose's views differed from Gandhi's non-violent approach. He believed in aggressive resistance and eventually resigned from Congress due to these differences.
Formation of Forward Bloc: In 1939, Bose founded the Forward Bloc, a faction within the Congress, to consolidate the political left.
Role in World War II
Escape to Germany: In 1941, Bose escaped from house arrest in India and made his way to Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.
Support from Axis Powers: Bose sought support from Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan to liberate India from British rule.
Indian National Army (INA): In 1943, Bose took command of the Indian National Army (INA) in Singapore, previously formed by Indian prisoners of war. He led the INA in its campaign to overthrow British rule in India.
Azad Hind Movement
Provisional Government of Free India: Bose established the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind) and declared war against the British.
INA’s Campaign: The INA, under Bose’s leadership, fought alongside Japanese forces against the British in Northeast India, notably in the battles of Imphal and Kohima.
Disappearance and Legacy
Disappearance: Subhas Chandra Bose’s plane reportedly crashed in Taiwan on August 18, 1945, leading to his mysterious disappearance. However, the exact circumstances of his death remain disputed.
Legacy: Bose is remembered as one of India’s most revered freedom fighters, known for his bold leadership and unwavering commitment to India’s independence. His slogan "Give me blood, and I will give you freedom" remains iconic in Indian history.
